New Hope Valley Railway Operate-a-Loco Program

The New Hope Valley Railway Operate-a-Loco program puts YOU in the engineer’s seat
at the controls of one of our diesel-electric or steam locomotives.

 Contact the Bonsal Yard Office by telephone (919)362-5416
to book a session at least two (2) weeks in advance.

Payment is accepted in cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Operate-a-Loco certificates are GOOD FOR ONE YEAR from the date of issue and are non-refundable.

The New Hope Valley Railway reserves the right to substitute equipment and cancel or reschedule these events as required by operations.
Terms and conditions: Operators participating in the Operate-a-Loco Program must be at least eighteen (18) years old and possess a valid drivers license.  Operators participating in the Operate-a-Loco Program are under the direct supervision and control of a qualified instructing engineer at all times. This instructing engineer is the governing authority on all operations, rules, and regulations.  The Operate-a-Loco Program is governed by the regulations and rules of applicable law, the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), US Department of Transportation (DOT), NC Department of Transportation (NC-DOT), Association of American Railroads (AAR), New Hope Valley Railway, North Carolina Railway Museum, and other governing bodies.  Operators participating in the Operate-a-Loco Program must be physically and psychologically able to perform the required tasks of the program without danger to themselves, any others involved, or the track and equipment of the New Hope Valley Railway.  Operators participating in the Operate-a-Loco Program do so at their own risk, and shall absolve and hold harmless the North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc. and New Hope Valley Railway, and their volunteers and employees, from any and all liabilities, personal of consequential, whatsoever, including but not limited to liabilities caused by equipment failure, accident, negligence, or natural disaster.  Any misrepresentations in compliance with the provisions, terms, and conditions of the Operate-a-Loco Program shall cause any agreement to provide service to become null and void on the part of the North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc. and the New Hope Valley Railway.